1
as in to frown
to take on a gloomy or forbidding look
his face slowly darkened as we told him the sad news
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to obscure
to make dark, dim, or indistinct
years of accumulated grime have darkened the painting until it can barely be seen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to mar
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
the scandal darkened his otherwise sterling reputation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of darken
Now, even as the message has continued to darken, Attenborough’s ability to draw in the youth has only deepened.
—
Prince Harry, Time, 7 May 2026
This dimming was attributed to the Russia–Ukraine conflict in 2022, which triggered a regional energy crisis and caused European nights to darken dramatically.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Without an atmosphere, the surface would be especially vulnerable to this process, known as space weathering, which gradually breaks down and darkens rock.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 May 2026
Meanwhile, the American prospect darkened.
—Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for darken
Prince Harry, Time, 7 May 2026
This dimming was attributed to the Russia–Ukraine conflict in 2022, which triggered a regional energy crisis and caused European nights to darken dramatically.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Without an atmosphere, the surface would be especially vulnerable to this process, known as space weathering, which gradually breaks down and darkens rock.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 May 2026
Meanwhile, the American prospect darkened.
—Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for darken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darken
Verb
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Skateboarding, a counter-culture sport once frowned upon in the mainstream, has gained popularity in recent years.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
19 May 2026
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While the bizarre urge to chuck things at rock stars performing music onstage has been around since the advent of, well, rock stars and stages, it’s increasingly frowned upon and widely considered the ultimate concert faux pas.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
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In terms of where to beach, wide stretches of sand in Beach Haven remain some of the Jersey Shore’s most desirable, drawing surfers at sunrise, families hauling coolers and striped umbrellas by midday, and sunset walkers lingering until the sky fades pink over the dunes.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 May 2026
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Inside, customers collect passport stamps, browse racks of worn leather and faded denim and line up for limited-edition tote bags tied to the second annual Vintage Store Day.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The shift, led by Professor Helena Teede of Monash University’s Monash Centre for Health Research & Implementation, aims to fix a label that doctors and patients say has obscured the condition’s true scope for decades.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 May 2026
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While our position was good — mid-floor, with clear views of the stage and many of the walkways — at times, Styles was slightly obscured by the height of the walkways.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Verb
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The grand occasion was almost marred by an accident, the Tribune reported.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
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Though that 2017 championship is marred by one of the most egregious cheating scandals in baseball history.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Why Off-Grid Travel Is Booming In 2026 The shift is driven by hard numbers about how much of life is spent staring at a screen.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
18 May 2026
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His hands were at ten and two, his face fixed, staring straight ahead.—
Weike Wang,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
Verb
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The park is open from daylight to dusk for visitors and 24/7 for campers.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Its hours are from dawn to dusk every day of the year.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This practice blurs the lines of community policing.—
Natasha Dartigue,
Baltimore Sun,
16 May 2026
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Mornings blurred into basketball practices, and afternoons drifted toward softball workouts.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
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In one scene, Little Death lays outrageously bloody waste to the frisky incoming counselors of Camp Miasma (played by Zach Cherry, Quintessa Swindell, and Eva Victor, among others) in a long take set to a needle drop that shouldn’t be spoiled but that adds up to something worthy of blissing out to.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
14 May 2026
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That said, Collingwood cautions that soups made with certain ingredients such as dairy, meat, or seafood will spoil faster.—
Heather Riske,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Darken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darken. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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